Was Andrew Jackson a "champion of the common man" or "King" Andrew?
Andrew Jackson was not a "champion of the common man" as he liked to perceive. Instead, he was "King" Andrew. In some ways Jackson may have seemed like a "champion of the common man" because he was against the rising aristrocracy and supported an egalitarian society, but do not let these aspects be deceiving. Andrew Jackson was a very demanding presedent. He was not open minded and did not accept the opinions of others. He was known for firing his cabinet and other members of congress when things did not go his way. In order to make things happen his way, Andrew Jackson introduced the spoils syestem to the national government- basing appoints in government on political support. Therefore everything he supported was also supported by his cabinet and anyone else he appointed. Andrew Jackson vetoed more bills in his term in office than anyother presedent. If he was a presedent of the "common man" then he would have considered passing more of the bills that were presented to him. He found ways around government establishments such as the national bank. In order to avoid using the national bank he divided all of the federal money into various state banks. Andrew Jackson was not worthy of being the presedent of the United States because he acted more like a king. The government was made for and by the people and during the Jackson Era it was all about him, "King Jackson," not the people.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
To what extent was the Jeffersonian Era (1800-1828) consistent with the vision of Thomas Jefferson?
Thomas Jefferson's vision on the future American government and society greatly contradicted the visions of the federalist. Unlike Alexander Hamilton, Jefferson believed in a government where majority of the power was held within the state governments. Jefferson and his followers, the anti-federalist, wanted a government that was mainly held together by independent farmers. Jefferson did not like the idea of industries and commerce, he supported the idea of an agrarian society. The anti-federalist feared a too powerful centralized government, so Thomas Jefferson wanted a federal government that was greatly limited. He believed that all Americans should be exposed to the scientific rationalism of the Enlightment which was a part of the proposal of universal education. During Jefferson's years as president, many of his visions did not come true. Instead of keeping an agrarian society with many farmers, industrialization began to increase. With increasing numbers of industries, commerce also increased. Unfortunately education continued to be something the select "elites" got to participate in. The American society during the Jeffersonian Era was far from the simple society that Jefferson had in mind. Although some of Jefferson's ideals became true during the Jeffersonian Era, most did not. Thomas Jefferson's vision of the government was very inconsistent with the actual government during the Jeffersonian Era.
Thomas Jefferson's vision on the future American government and society greatly contradicted the visions of the federalist. Unlike Alexander Hamilton, Jefferson believed in a government where majority of the power was held within the state governments. Jefferson and his followers, the anti-federalist, wanted a government that was mainly held together by independent farmers. Jefferson did not like the idea of industries and commerce, he supported the idea of an agrarian society. The anti-federalist feared a too powerful centralized government, so Thomas Jefferson wanted a federal government that was greatly limited. He believed that all Americans should be exposed to the scientific rationalism of the Enlightment which was a part of the proposal of universal education. During Jefferson's years as president, many of his visions did not come true. Instead of keeping an agrarian society with many farmers, industrialization began to increase. With increasing numbers of industries, commerce also increased. Unfortunately education continued to be something the select "elites" got to participate in. The American society during the Jeffersonian Era was far from the simple society that Jefferson had in mind. Although some of Jefferson's ideals became true during the Jeffersonian Era, most did not. Thomas Jefferson's vision of the government was very inconsistent with the actual government during the Jeffersonian Era.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
How radical was the American Revolution?
Since the Americans were so used to controlling their own affairs, it caused a huge controversey when Britain started to try to get more power in the colonies by taxing them. The tension between Britain and the Colonies had already been growing since the French and Indian war and this "taxation without representation" was the last straw. The colonies had considered themsleves completely English all the way up to this point, now the colonies were doing everything they could to seperate from them. I think that the American Revolution was extremely radical because the colonies risked everything by going against Britain. There was a very good chance that we could have lost that war and lost sight of the dream of ever becoming independent.
Since the Americans were so used to controlling their own affairs, it caused a huge controversey when Britain started to try to get more power in the colonies by taxing them. The tension between Britain and the Colonies had already been growing since the French and Indian war and this "taxation without representation" was the last straw. The colonies had considered themsleves completely English all the way up to this point, now the colonies were doing everything they could to seperate from them. I think that the American Revolution was extremely radical because the colonies risked everything by going against Britain. There was a very good chance that we could have lost that war and lost sight of the dream of ever becoming independent.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Columbus Day
Should we celebrate Columbus day? (meaning is Christopher Columbus a hero or a villain?)
It is fact that Columbus was not the first person to discover the Americas. It is known that the vikings previously discovered the Americas and when Columbus arrived he was greeted by Native Americans already living there. Although Columbus did not actually discover the Americas he is still the icon of the Americas. Whenever someone thinks about the discovery of the Americas Christopher Columbus always comes to mind. He may not have discovered the Americas but he did play a significant role in establishing the Americas and making it what it is today, because of this I think that he is a hero and that we should celebrate Columbus day.
It is fact that Columbus was not the first person to discover the Americas. It is known that the vikings previously discovered the Americas and when Columbus arrived he was greeted by Native Americans already living there. Although Columbus did not actually discover the Americas he is still the icon of the Americas. Whenever someone thinks about the discovery of the Americas Christopher Columbus always comes to mind. He may not have discovered the Americas but he did play a significant role in establishing the Americas and making it what it is today, because of this I think that he is a hero and that we should celebrate Columbus day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
